Written by James Cooney, Daily Mail Australia
02:05 02 April 2024, 02:05 02 April 2024 Updated
- Dane Swan will box Dale Thomas on Wednesday night
- Swan says training halted to celebrate 40th birthday
- AFL legend says he's fitter and fitter than ever
exclusive
AFL legend Dane Swan has revealed that celebrating his 40th birthday in the US and Mexico last month almost completely derailed his boxing training.
The Collingwood great swaps his foot boots for boxing gloves as he steps into the ring to take on former AFL star Dale Thomas at The Gathering Fight Night in Adelaide on Wednesday night. ing.
Swann is in great shape heading into the match, but a recent raucous birthday party nearly tipped the scales.
“My 40th birthday really interrupted that.” [training]when I was away from home for a month,'' Ms Swan told Daily Mail Australia.
“But I've had enough (training) work in my life so far. I'm not a full-time boxer, so I have to juggle my own lifestyle and three young children. It wasn't, but it got the job done.
“I can do four rounds easily, but it's just a matter of how many shots I get.'' But I'm ready to go. ”
The Brownlow Award winner invited a group of friends to Las Vegas, before several more joined to continue the celebrations in Cabo, Mexico.
Mr Swann said the partying nearly killed him, but since returning home he has continued to train hard and has never touched alcohol.
“I lost five kilos in Las Vegas…I played at 95 and now I'm 88-89. I'm as thin as when I came out of the jungle. [after starring on ‘I’m A Celebrity…].
“I'm ready.”
One advantage Swann has when going through the ropes is that he is no stranger to boxing training.
“I've always boxed,” he explained.
“It's one area I've always enjoyed. I hate running, I've never done weightlifting since I was forced to while playing AFL, and swimming is boring too.
“Boxing is one of the sports that I really enjoy. It's fast and high intensity. I like it.
“I was going to fight you a few years ago, but it failed. You asked me to do this, so please give me the money this time.”
Swann said his game plan is to test all of his knowledge of the “sweet science” against Thomas this week, rather than throwing hay.
“I don't want to go in there angry. I played soccer and it was a lot of fun. I played with a smile on my face,” Swan said.
“Obviously getting punched in the face is going to be different, but I want to enjoy it and show the coaches that I listen to them and that I half know what I’m doing. ”
And how is he going to celebrate when it's all over?
“A million beers. I can't wait. I'm hanging myself,” Swan laughed.
The Gathering is a live, exclusive pay-per-view that only takes place on Stan. For more information, please visit www.stan.com.au/ppv.
Gathering Fight Night Full Card
Main Event – Jamal Herring (24-4-0) vs. Jackson England (15-3-0) [Super Featherweight] (Won WBO world super featherweight title)
Mitch Robinson (debut) vs. Kane Pettyfer (debut) [Cruiserweight]
Jack Brubaker (17-5-2) vs. Yin Duck So (15-3-2) [Super Welterweight]
Kane Cornes (debut) vs. Nathan Brown (debut) [Cruiserweight]
Joel Camilleri (27-8-1) vs. Joel Pavlides (5-2-1) [Middleweight]
Dane Swan (debut) vs. Dale Thomas (debut) [Heavyweight]
Alex Ripal Jr. (Debut) vs. Joe Ageli (2-1-0) [Heavyweight]
Anthony Rocca (debut) vs. Corey McKernan (debut) [Heavyweight]
Sergei Vorobev (20-2-0) vs. Wes Capper (22-5-1) [Heavyweight]
